Roadmap
From your very first conversation with us, our highly experienced and well-regarded recruitment team will be by your side, guiding and supporting you every step of the way. Our assessment process is thorough, thoughtful and designed to prepare you for fostering with confidence. With support, specialist training and honest guidance throughout, you can feel reassured that choosing Ideal Fostering is the right place to begin your journey.
Enquiry
At this stage we will answer any queries you have and can provide you with some initial information on Ideal fostering and fostering in general. We will also ask some general information about you, your household and your family. If you are interested and suitable, we will arrange an initial visit.
Initial Screening Assessment
This is the Initial Home Visit. We will talk to you further about you, your household and family, your work/care experience, motivation to foster and assess the home environment. If you are successful, you will move on to the next stage.
Initial Home Visit
This is the initial screening assessment, giving us the opportunity to get to know you, your household and family a little better, while also allowing you to get to know us. We’ll explore a range of areas, including your reasons for wanting to foster, your experiences, family life, support network and home environment. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to ask questions too. Following the visit, we’ll discuss the next steps with you and whether you are able to progress to the next stage.
Stage 1
Mandatory Checks are sought during Stage 1 of the fostering assessment process. These include DBS, Local Authority & LADO and Medical checks. You will also be invited to our flagship training course ‘Skills to Fostering’, also known as ‘Pre-approval Training’.
Stage 2
An experienced and friendly social worker will work closely with you and your family as your assessor to complete a detailed fostering assessment, known as a Form F. This is an important and thorough part of your journey, giving you the opportunity to reflect on your experiences, strengths and readiness to foster. Your assessor will guide and support you throughout, helping you feel informed, prepared and confident as you move towards approval.
Finalising
Once your assessment is complete, you will attend the fostering panel, where your application will be reviewed and a recommendation made. The Agency Decision Maker will then confirm the final decision and, if approved, you will be allocated a supervising social worker to support you throughout your fostering journey.
